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Abstract:

A protective helmet includes: a rigid shell including a generally
domed-shaped section, a force attenuating liner within the dome-shaped
section shell and operatively connected to the rigid shell; and a visor
mount in operative connection with the force attenuating liner, the visor
mount be adapted to have a visor mounted thereto.

Claims:

1. A protective helmet comprising:a rigid shell including a generally
domed-shaped section,a force attenuating liner within the dome-shaped
section shell and operatively connected to the rigid shell; anda visor
mount in operative connection with the force attenuating liner, the visor
mount be adapted to have a visor mounted thereto.

2. The protective helmet of claim 1 wherein the visor mount includes a
section that extends at least partially around an outer surface of the
force attenuating liner.

3. The protective helmet of claim 2 wherein the section of the visor mount
extends over a top of the force attenuating liner.

4. The protective helmet of claim 3 wherein the rigid shell includes a rib
extending side to side over a top of the dome-shaped section, at least a
portion of the visor mount being located within an interior portion of
the rib.

5. The protective helmet of claim 3 wherein the dome-shaped section of the
rigid shell includes a rib extending front to back, at least a portion of
the visor mount being located within the top center portion of the rib.

6. The protective helmet of claim 3 wherein the dome-shaped section of the
rigid shell is generally rounded over the dome-shaped section, at least a
portion of the visor mount being located adjacent to an interior surface
of the dome shaped section.

7. The protective helmet of claim 2 wherein the section of the visor mount
extends around a side of the force attenuating liner.

8. The protective helmet of claim 2 wherein the section of the visor mount
extends around a perimeter of the force attenuating liner.

9. The protective helmet of claim 1 wherein the force attenuating liner is
adapted to disconnect from operative connection with the shell under a
predetermined load, the visor mount being adapted to remain in connection
with the force attenuating liner upon disconnection of the force
attenuating liner from operative connection with the shell.

10. The protective helmet of claim 1 wherein the visor mount is
operatively connected to the shell.

11. The protective helmet of claim 10 wherein the visor mount is adapted
to disconnect from operative connection with the shell under a
predetermined load, the visor mount being adapted to remain in connection
with the force attenuating liner upon disconnection of the visor mount
and the force attenuating liner from operative connection with the shell.

12. A protective helmet comprising a shell and a connector system
connected to the shell for attaching a visor to the helmet, the shell
including a dome-shaped section, the connector system comprising a first
connector attached to a first side of the shell and a second connector
attached to a second side of the shell, each of the first connector and
the second connector including a seating for removable connection of a
cooperating connector positioned on each side of the visor so that the
visor is rotatably attachable to the helmet such that the visor can be
rotated to a stowed position within the dome-shaped section of the shell
and to a deployed position outside of the dome-shaped section of the
shell.

13. The protective helmet of claim 12 wherein the seating includes
abutment members that form a removable connection with flexing capture
arms of the cooperating connector of the visor.

14. The protective helmet of claim 13 wherein a shield portion of the
visor is rotatably attached to the cooperating connectors of the visor.

15. A force attenuating liner for use in a protective helmet comprising:a
visor mount operatively connected to the force attenuating liner, the
visor mount be adapted to have a visor mounted thereto.

Description:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001]The present invention relates generally to protective head gear and,
in several embodiments, to protective helmets including a force
attenuation liner or impact cap to which a structural mount for a visor
is operatively connected.

[0002]The following information is provided to assist the reader in
understanding the invention disclosed below and the environment in which
it will typically be used. The terms used herein are not intended to be
limited to any particular narrow interpretation unless clearly stated
otherwise in this document. References set forth herein may facilitate
understanding of the present invention or the background of the present
invention. The disclosure of all references cited herein are incorporated
by reference.

[0003]Protective head gear is used or should be used in numerous
activities in which the head can be impacted, including, but not limited
to, sports activities, recreational activities, vehicular operation, work
activities in hazardous industrial environments, military operations,
aviation, and fire fighting. Such protective head gear typically includes
a rigid outer shell of metal or plastic and a suspension system to
support the shell on the wearer's head. The rigid outer shell prevents an
impacting object from contacting the head and the suspension system
operates to attenuate and distribute impact forces transferred to the
head.

[0004]Impact attenuating suspensions can, for example, include a web of
straps attached to the shell and arranged as a cradle over the top of the
wearer's head or a compressible foam liner positioned between the
wearer's head and the interior of the shell.

[0005]U.S. Pat. No. 4,286,339, assigned to the assignee of the present
invention, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference,
discloses a protective helmet, such as firefighter helmet, which combines
aspects of a web suspension with aspects of a foam liner suspension. A
chinstrap for the helmet assembly of U.S. Pat. No. 4,286,339 is rigidly
affixed to the outer shell to retain the protective helmet on the head.
Fixing the chinstrap to the outer shell in an unyielding manner, however,
can potentially place too much force on the wearer's neck under certain
circumstances (for example, during a fall through a floor in the case
where the helmet impacts an object or becomes stuck).

[0006]To reduce the likelihood of placing excessive force on the neck, a
number of protective helmets have included a chinstrap assembly that is
releasably attached to the protective helmet assembly. Typically,
detachment of the entire protective helmet assembly from the user left
the user's head completely unprotected against subsequent impacts with an
object or against a stationary object.

[0007]U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,016, assigned to the assignee of the present
invention, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference,
describes a helmet assembly including an outer shell and an inner impact
attenuation liner assembly. A chinstrap assembly is mounted to the inner
impact attenuation liner assembly and the inner impact attenuation liner
assembly is mounted within the outer impact shell such that it detaches
under predetermined load conditions from the outer impact shell. After
separation of the inner liner assembly from the outer shell, the inner
liner assembly remains on the user's head. The inner liner assembly thus
continues to provide the user with some protection from subsequent
impacts.

[0008]Although significant improvements have been made in protective
helmets, it remains desirable to develop improved protective head gear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009]In one aspect, the present invention provides a protective helmet
including: a rigid shell including a generally domed-shaped section, a
force attenuating liner within the dome-shaped section shell and
operatively connected to the rigid shell; and a visor mount in operative
connection with the force attenuating liner, the visor mount be adapted
to have a visor mounted thereto.

[0010]The visor mount can include a section that extends at least
partially around an outer surface of the force attenuating liner. The
section of the visor mount can, for example, extend over a top of the
force attenuating liner.

[0011]In one embodiment, the rigid shell includes a rib extending side to
side over a top of the dome-shaped section, and at least a portion of the
visor mount is located within an interior portion of the rib. In another
embodiment, the dome-shaped section of the rigid shell includes a rib
extending front to back, and at least a portion of the visor mount is
located within the top center portion of the rib. In a further
embodiment, the dome-shaped section of the rigid shell is generally
rounded over the dome-shaped section, and at least a portion of the visor
mount is located adjacent to an interior surface of the dome shaped
section.

[0012]The section of the visor mount can also extend around a side of the
force attenuating liner. The section of the visor mount can, for example,
extend around a perimeter of the force attenuating liner.

[0013]The force attenuating liner can be adapted to disconnect from
operative connection with the shell under a predetermined load. In
several embodiments, the visor mount is adapted to remain in connection
with the force attenuating liner upon disconnection of the force
attenuating liner from operative connection with the shell.

[0014]The visor mount can be operatively connected to the shell. The visor
mount can, for example, be adapted to disconnect from operative
connection with the shell under a predetermined load. The visor mount can
be adapted to remain in connection with the force attenuating liner upon
disconnection of the visor mount and the force attenuating liner from
operative connection with the shell.

[0015]In another aspect, the present invention provides a protective
helmet including a shell and a connector system connected to the shell
for attaching a visor to the helmet. The shell includes a dome-shaped
section. The connector system includes a first connector attached to a
first side of the shell and a second connector attached to a second side
of the shell. Each of the first connector and the second connector
include a seating for removable connection of a cooperating connector
positioned on each side of the visor so that the visor is rotatably
attachable to the helmet such that the visor can be rotated to a stowed
position within the dome-shaped section of the shell and to a deployed
position outside of the dome-shaped section of the shell. The seating
can, for example, include abutment members that form a removable
connection with flexing capture arms of the cooperating connector of the
visor. A shield portion of the visor can be rotatably attached to the
cooperating connectors of the visor.

[0016]In still another aspect, the present invention provides a force
attenuating liner for use in a protective helmet including a visor mount
operatively connected to the force attenuating liner, the visor mount be
adapted to have a visor mounted thereto.

[0017]The present invention, along with the attributes and attendant
advantages thereof, will best be appreciated and understood in view of
the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018]FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of a traditional style
fire helmet of the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 2A illustrates a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of a
protective helmet of the present invention in a disassembled state
including a force attenuation and/or distribution liner or impact cap
assembly of the present invention, wherein a visor is attached to a
structural mount or support in operative connection with the impact cap
assembly.

[0020]FIG. 2B illustrates a bottom perspective view of the helmet assembly
of FIG. 2A in an assembled state.

[0021]FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of the impact cap of FIG. 2A
with the visor in a deployed state.

[0022]FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of the impact cap of FIG. 2A
with the visor in a stowed state.

[0023]FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the impact cap of FIG. 2A
in a disassembled state.

[0024]FIG. 5A illustrates a perspective view of the visor assembly of FIG.
2A in an assembled state.

[0025]FIG. 5B illustrates a perspective view of the visor assembly of FIG.
2A in a disassembled state.

[0026]FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the mount for the visor
assembly of FIG. 2A with a chin strap attached thereto.

[0027]FIG. 7A illustrate a top view of the mount of FIG. 6.

[0028]FIG. 7B illustrates a side view of the mount of FIG. 6.

[0029]FIG. 7C illustrates another perspective view of the mount of FIG. 6.

[0030]FIG. 7D illustrates a rear view of the mount of FIG. 6.

[0031]FIG. 8A illustrates a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of a
protective helmet of the present invention including a force
attenuation/distribution liner or impact cap assembly including a
structural mount for a visor wherein the structural mount extends around
the lower side perimeter of the impact cap.

[0032]FIG. 8B illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of a
visor for use in connection with the impact cap of FIG. 8A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033]Several representative embodiments of protective head gear of the
present invention are discussed herein in connection with various
firefighter helmets. One skilled in the art appreciates, however, that
the devices, systems and methods of the present invention can be used in
a wide variety of protective head gear.

[0034]In the 19th century, firefighters in the United States commonly
used leather helmets which included a long rear brim and curled up side
brims to prevent water from running down the firefighter's neck and into
his coat. Leather helmets, which are still popular among firefighters
today, are strong enough to provide protection from falling objects, and
the large brim of the traditional leather helmets sheds water effectively
and prevents objects from dropping down the back of the fire fighter's
neck.

[0035]In addition to leather, modern firefighter helmets, including those
of a traditional design (that is, similar in appearance to traditional
leather helmets), are often fabricated from high-tech plastic and
composite materials. To satisfy the NFPA standard, firefighter helmets
are usually fabricated from highly impact resistant and thermally stable
materials such as thermosets (for example, fiberglass composites
including vinylester/polyester thermoset resins). For example, the
CAIRNS® 1010 helmet, available from Mine Safety Appliances Company
("MSA"), is an NFPA approved helmet fabricated from fiberglass
composites, which can be reinforced with ballistic-grade KEVLAR®
material (poly(p-phenyleneterephtalamide), available from Dupont of
Wilmington, Del.).

[0036]Firefighter's helmets can take a variety of forms as, for example,
disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,286,339, 5,044,016 and 6,260,212, assigned
to the assignee of the present invention, the disclosures of which are
incorporated herein by reference. FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of
the present invention that has the "traditional" shape. However, as is
clear to one skilled in the art of protective helmets, the protective
helmets of the present invention can have generally any shape suitable
for protective headgear.

[0037]Firefighter protective helmet 10 includes an outer shell 20. Outer
shell 20 is formed with a generally dome-shaped section 30 and a radially
outward extending brim 40 which can be wider at the back than at the
front and on the sides to shield the back of the wearer's neck. An inner
impact attenuation liner assembly or impact cap assembly 100 (not shown
in FIG. 1; see, for example, FIGS. 2 through 4) can be positioned within
domed-shaped section 30 of outer shell 20. "Traditional" style helmet 10
further includes several ribs extending over dome-shaped section 30. In
the illustrated embodiment, a major or larger ridge or rib 32 extends
from one side to another over dome-shaped section 30. Another major or
larger ridge or rib 34 extends front to back over dome-shaped section 30.

[0038]As discussed above, the protective helmets of the present invention
can have generally any shape suitable for protective headgear. For
example, "modern" style or shaped firefighter helmets and other helmets
suitable for use in the present invention can have a narrower brim than
brim 40 illustrated for helmet 10 or have no brim at all. Moreover, such
protective helmets can be smooth/rounded (that is, without ridges or
ribs) over a dome-shaped section thereof or can have different ridging or
ribbing than appears in the traditional style firefighter helmet. For
example, a number of protective helmets include a single, relatively
large ridge or rib extending front to back over a dome-shaped section of
the protective helmet.

[0039]As used herein terms such as "side", "front", "back", "up", "down",
"inward", "outward" and similar terms when used to refer to helmet 10 or
any portion thereof refer to a direction relative to the orientation of
helmet 10 (or a portion thereof) when helmet 10 is worn by a user.

[0040]In several embodiments of the present invention, an eye protection
shield, face shield or visor 200 (see, for example, FIGS. 2A through 7D),
including a shield section 204, is in operative connection with impact
attenuation liner assembly or impact cap 100. In that regard, a
structural mount 300 (see, for example, FIGS. 2A through 4, and 6 through
7D) for visor 200 can be placed in operative connection with impact cap
100. A connector 340 can, for example, be provided for a relatively ready
or quick connection of visor 200 thereto. In several embodiments of the
present invention as used in connection with protective firefighter
helmets of the traditional style, a hoop section 310 of mount 300 which
extends over the top of impact cap 100 is positioned and dimensioned so
that it is located or seated within an internal recess of dome-shaped
section 30 created by the formation by rib or ridge 32. In another style
of a helmet of the present invention wherein a generally dome-shaped
section includes only a ridge or rib extending front to back, at a least
a portion of a visor mount similar to visor mount 300 can, for example,
be located within the top center portion of the ridge or rib. In other
protective helmets of the present invention in which the dome-shaped
section is generally smoothly curved or rounded (without ridges or ribs),
the visor mount can, for example, simply be located adjacent to the
interior surface of the dome-shaped section.

[0041]As known in the art, impact cap 100 can, for example, be fabricated
from a foamed material such as a foamed urethane or other foamed
polymeric material that is suitable to attenuate impact forces. In the
illustrated embodiment, impact cap 100 includes a force attenuating
and/or distributing upper section 110 formed from a foamed urethane
material and a lower section 160 formed from a molded (for example,
vacuum molded) thermoplastic polymeric material such as ABS
(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene). As illustrated, for example, in FIG.
4, lower section 160 is formed with a seating 164 around the lower
perimeter thereof in which the lower perimeter of upper section 110 is
seated when the two sections are assembled. The outer surface of
dome-shaped section 170 of the lower section 160 is shaped and
dimensioned to generally conform to the inner surface of upper section
110. Lower section 160 can, for example, facilitate cleaning of impact
cap 100 as a relatively smooth, molded thermoplastic material is, for
example, more readily wiped clean than a foamed material. Further, lower
section 160 can prevent damage to friable upper section 110.

[0042]As also illustrated, for example, in FIG. 4, a web suspension 400
can be in operative connection with impact cap 100. Web suspension 400 is
connected to impact cap 100 via an extending member such as a tie strap
420. Tie strap 420 is seated or positioned within a groove or seating 120
formed in upper section 110 of impact cap 100. When assembled, tie strap
420 retains web suspension 400 in operative connection with impact cap
100. Web straps 410 pass over and around the lower perimeter of lower
section 160 of impact cap 100 and assist in maintaining upper section 110
and lower section 160 in operative connection.

[0043]Mount 300 can, for example, be formed from a material of greater
structural integrity than the friable foamed material of upper section
110 of impact cap 100 and provides structural support for the mounting of
visor 200. Mount 300 can, for example, be formed by injection molding of
a thermoplastic material such as nylon. In the illustrated embodiment,
mount 300 can assist in maintaining proper alignment of impact cap 100
with helmet shell 20 (for example, via seating of hoop section 310 within
the interior of rib or ridge 32) and proper alignment of visor 200 with
impact cap 100 and helmet shell 20. As illustrated, for example, in FIG.
3B, visor 200 can be rotated to a recessed or stowed position in which it
is positioned between impact cap 100 and shell 20 of helmet 10, within
dome-shaped section 30. Upper section 110 can, for example, include a
recess 112 formed therein for positioning of visor 200 in the stowed
position. For use in shielding the eyes and upper face of the wearer of
helmet 10, visor 200 can be rotated downward to be positioned in a
deployed position in front of the face of the user as, for example,
illustrated in FIG. 3A.

[0045]In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 7D, hoop section
310 of mount 300 seats or is positioned within a groove or seating 130
formed in upper section 110 of impact cap 100. Upper section 110 and
lower section 160 also include openings or seatings 140 and 190,
respectively, with which connectors 340 align upon assembly. Connectors
340 can also include a tab or flange 341 that seats or is positioned
within a seating 164 of lower section 160 to, for example, assist in
proper alignment of mount 300 on impact cap 100.

[0046]In the illustrated embodiment, mount 300 includes extending members
320, which extend from hoop section 310 of mount 300. Extending members
320 are shaped to conform generally to groove or seating 120 of impact
cap 100 (see, for example, FIGS. 3A and 3B). Hoop section 310 can include
a notch or channel 312 formed therein where hoop section 310 passes over
groove 120 to allow tie strap 420 to pass thereunder without contacting
hoop section 310. Tie strap 420 passes over a groove or seating 322
formed in extending members 320 and assists in maintaining mount 300 in
operative connection with impact section 100.

[0047]As illustrated in, for example, FIG. 2A, each of connectors 340
includes a flange 342 that extends radially outward. Flange 342 includes
two slots 344. Screws 346 pass though slots and through holes 42 in brim
40. A stabilizing member 348 can be provided to assist in aligning and
stabilizing nuts 350 which cooperate with screws 346 to connect
connectors 340 (and thereby impact cap 100) to helmet shell 20.

[0048]Upon application of a predetermined force or predetermined load to
helmet shell 20 that could result in undue stress on the wearer's neck
(for example, in a case that the helmet impacts an object or becomes
stuck during a fall), flange 342 will deform and slide out from under
screws 346 to enable disconnection of connectors 340, and thereby impact
cap 100, from helmet shell 20. The NFPA 1971 standard, for example,
indicates that separation should occur upon application of a downward
load of no less than 80 pounds applied to the impact cap. Each of
connectors 340 can also include a member 352 (see, for example, FIG. 2A)
in operative connection therewith via screws 346 which includes a
radially inward extending flange 354. Members 352 remain in connection
with helmet shell 20 when impact cap 100 disconnects from helmet shell 20
via screws 346 which pass through holes (not shown) in members 352.
Flanges 354 are deformable to allow disconnection of impact assembly 100
from connection with helmet shell 20. In the case of, for example,
certain side impacts (which can cause deformation of helmet shell 20) in
which it is undesirable for impact cap 100 to disconnect from helmet 10,
flanges 354 can assist stabilizing the assembly and preventing
undesirable disconnection. However, in the case of application of force
to helmet 10 which would otherwise cause excessive force on the neck of
the wearer as described above, both flange 342 and flange 354 deflect to
allow impact cap 100, including connected visor 200 to disconnect from
helmet shell 20.

[0049]In the illustrated embodiment, mount 300 including hoop section 310,
extending member 320 and connectors 340 was molded monolithically from a
thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material is preferably suitably
compliant to allow disconnection of connectors 340 from connection with
helmet shell 20 as described above. Extending members 320 act in the
manner of leaf springs in connecting mount to upper section 110 of impact
cap 100. Extending members 320 have flexibility and absorb energy,
preventing breakage (and retaining the assembled nature of impact cap
assembly 100) upon application of a force thereto or to impact cap 100.
The thermoplastic material of mount 300 is also preferably has suitable
rigidity to provide secure connection of cooperating visor connectors 210
to connectors 340 as described above.

[0051]As described above, connectors 340 of mount 300 also provide for
connection of visor 200 to connector 340 and thereby to impact cap 100.
In the illustrated embodiment, visor 200 includes a cooperating connector
210 that includes two flexing capture legs 214. As cooperating connectors
210 are moved upward (represented by arrows C set forth in FIG. 2A) into
contact with connector 340, an upper end 218 of cooperating connector 210
enters an opening 360 formed on an inner side or connector 340. Flexing
capture legs 214 are force toward each other by contact with abutment
members 364 on the sides of opening 360 until abutment members 364 are
aligned with notches or seatings 224 formed in capture legs 214. At that
point, capture legs 214 flex away from each other so that notches 224
form an engagement with abutment members 364 to retain cooperating
connectors 210 (and thereby visor 200) in removable connection with
connectors 340.

[0052]To remove visor 200 from connection with connectors 340, a user can
force flexing capture legs 214 toward each other to remove notches 214
from cooperating contact with abutment members 364 by application of
force to ends 228 of capture legs 214. The cooperation of connectors 340
and 210 to removably connect visor 200 to the helmet assembly provides,
for example, for simple removal of visor 200 for periodic cleaning or for
replacement by another visor.

[0053]The cooperating connection between connector 340 and connector 210
of visor 200 also provides advantage even when used directly on helmet
shell 20 and not as part of breakaway impact cap assembly 100. In that
regard, unlike a number of other connection mechanism for attaching
visors and other accessories to helmets the connection formed in the
present invention is very simple and does not require tools for either
connection or disconnection. Further the, connection is formed on the
inside perimeter of dome-shaped section 30 and provides for a stowed
position of visor 200 between helmet shell 20 and impact cap 100. In that
interior position, visor 200 is protected from dirt, damage caused by
contact with various object and damage caused by exposure to elevated
temperatures.

[0054]To further protect visor 200 from dirt and exposure to heated air, a
shield 500 can be provided to prevent dirt and air from entering between
helmet shell 20 and impact cap 200. Shield 500 can extend around the gap
between helmet shell 20 and impact cap 100 only in the vicinity of visor
200 or can extend further around the gap. Shield 500 can even extend
around the entire circumference of the gap. In several embodiments,
shield 500 extends around a front section of the gap as illustrated in
FIGS. 2A and 2B. In several such embodiments, an ear/neck flap or shield
(as known in the art) is removably attachable to several hook-and-loop
type fasteners 60 positioned around the interior of the back of
dome-shaped section 30 and further prevents dirt and heated air from
entering the gap between helmet shell 20 and impact cap 100.

[0055]As illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 5A and 5B, visor 200 can be
pivotably or rotatably attached to connectors 210 about a shaft such as
provided by a tension screw 250 which can, for example, be adjustable to
set the amount of force required to rotate visor between the stowed
position (illustrated, for example, in FIG. 3B) and the deployed position
(illustrated, for example, in FIG. 3A). Handles or flanges 260 can be
provided for grasping by the wearer of helmet 10 to facilitate stowing
and deployment of visor 200.

[0056]FIG. 8A illustrates another embodiment of an impact cap assembly
100a of the present invention in which a structural mount 300 encompasses
the lower perimeter of an upper force absorbing or attenuating section
110 of impact cap 100a, rather than extending from one side to another
over the top of impact cap 100 as described in the above embodiments.
Visor 200a is connected to mount 300 via a pivot connection 360a. In the
illustrated embodiment, passages 210a formed on the sides of visor 200a
are captured by flexing capture arms 364a of connectors 360a. Breakaway
attachments (for example, similar to those described above but not shown
in FIG. 8A) can be provided around the circumference of mount 300 for
breakaway attachment of mount 300 to shell 20 of helmet 10a.

[0057]FIG. 8B illustrates another embodiment of a visor 200b for use in
connection with pivot connection 360 of mount 300. In the embodiment of
FIG. 8B, visor 200b includes openings 212b that can be used to form a
connection with pivot connection 360. In that regard, openings 212b can
be aligned with pivot connection 360 and force applied to visor 200b
causing openings 212b to spread so that pivot connection 360 can be
seated within passages 210b.

[0058]In either of visors 200a or 200b, passages 210a and 210b,
respectively, can be dimensioned so that some resistance is maintained to
pivoting motion of visor 200a or 200b, thereby providing a mechanism to
hold visor 200a or 200b in a desired position.

[0059]The foregoing description and accompanying drawings set forth the
preferred embodiments of the invention at the present time. Various
modifications, additions and alternative designs will, of course, become
apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing teachings
without departing from the scope of the invention. The scope of the
invention is indicated by the following claims rather than by the
foregoing description. All changes and variations that fall within the
meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within
their scope.